Of course, the topic that is currently dominating everything does not leave us climbers unaffected. There is a great deal of uncertainty among large sections of the population, expert opinions differ and the medical world is still learning about this new virus. We therefore asked Dr. Rouven Hornung from Innsbruck University Hospital for his assessment of how the coronavirus is affecting our climbing activities and what precautionary measures actually make sense.
First things first: even if the best possible safety is one of the guiding criteria of Climbers Paradise, accidents can of course never be completely ruled out. Politicians and the Alpine Association are therefore urgently appealing to recreational athletes to refrain from potentially risky sports at the moment. The reason for this is the complex and expensive rescue chain involved in accidents. Hospital capacities are also needed for Covid-19 patients. As the regulations are currently changing frequently, please check oesterreich.gv.at for the latest information!
Climbing & Corona: Dr. Rouven Hornung in an interview Climbers Paradise: Rope climbing is inevitably a partner sport. Where and how are you exposed to potential infection when sport climbing?
Dr. Hornung : In principle, in my opinion, droplet infection through aerosols is most likely due to the sometimes very close contact, for example when spotting, partner checking and at the belay. In principle, viruses can be contaminated by direct aerosols or - much more rarely - by aerosol-contaminated surfaces. This finding is also based on well-founded scientific studies on past corona epidemics (SARS/MERS). Currently, a relevant contamination of the soil has been detected in active excretors of coronaviruses, i.e. during the onset of the disease. This indicates the excretion of aerosols, which then slowly sink to the ground. This finding is therefore not irrelevant for sport climbing.
Keyword smear infection: Is it theoretically possible to become infected with viruses "stuck" to the rock if you touch the same holds? Should I be afraid of this?
Worn out: Can a virus lurk on a handle? Photo: Simon Schöpf
Dr. Hornung : Theoretically, you can't rule it out, but it's highly unlikely. Even if the virus has been proven to survive for up to three days on metal or plastic surfaces, an infectious dose must first reach them and then be picked up by the next person, which is probably even less likely on natural rock than indoors. In general, this is certainly not the main transmission route and is negligible in outdoor climbing. In indoor areas with shared changing rooms and sanitary facilities, however, this transmission route certainly cannot be completely ignored.
What would be sensible measures to protect yourself from a potential infection when sport climbing?
Dr. Hornung : Wearing a face mask certainly makes sense. It may also make sense for your belay partner to wear sports goggles/sunglasses to protect their eyes as a potential entry point for the virus, as your climbing partner is often directly above you. In addition, hand sanitizer (e.g. a gel) should be carried and used regularly (this also protects against other possible contamination from the remains of animal excrement, for example from chamois).
So a face mask also makes sense when climbing?
Dr. Hornung: Face masks make sense wherever it is simply not possible to maintain a maximum distance and protect others from contamination by yourself. Again, it should be noted that the main transmission route is still aerosol formation when speaking, coughing or sneezing. During sport, this aerosol formation and distribution can theoretically be increased by various factors such as airstream and increased breathing, as Belgian researchers have now demonstrated for jogging. This excretion is already significantly reduced by a normal cloth face mask.
Is it more sensible to go bouldering alone in these times because there is less contact with potentially ill people?
Better not to hang out alone: Bouldering in Silvapark high above Galtür, photo: Simon Schöpf
Dr. Hornung: I don't think that's advisable for safety reasons. Climbing is and remains a risky sport that should not be practiced alone. If only so that someone is there to call for help in the event of an injury. In addition, the risk of contamination is significantly higher indoors due to the confined space.
Does the use of chalk have an impact on potential transmission?
Dr. Hornung : Basically, there is no hard data on this, but aerosols are always more infectious the larger and more humid they are. Accordingly, a dried-out surface could be unfavorable for the survival of coronaviruses. Unfortunately, I cannot provide any reliable data on this.
Any final tips from the experts?
Dr. Hornung : Larger climbing groups should therefore still be avoided, even if the social aspect of rock climbing is a great fun factor. And let's stay positive: the pandemic will pass, the crags will stay!
Thank you for the interview and hope to see you soon at the crag!
Personal details: Rouven Hornung is a junior doctor in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Innsbruck University Hospital and an enthusiastic mountaineer who also enjoys climbing on moderate rock. His research to date has primarily focused on resuscitation and the care of seriously injured patients. He is also active in student teaching in the department and is currently working in an intensive care unit for corona patients in Innsbruck. He contracted coronavirus himself during a business trip to Denmark and has since recovered.
Sources:
Ong SWX, Tan YK, Chia PY, et al. Air, Surface Environmental, and Personal Protective Equipment Contamination by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) From a Symptomatic Patient. JAMA. 2020.Chowell G, Abdirizak F, Lee S, et al. Transmission characteristics of MERS and SARS in the healthcare setting: a comparative study. BMC Med. 2015;13:210.Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, Steinmann E. Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. J Hosp Infect. 2020;104(3):246-251.Young BE, Ong SWX, Kalimuddin S, et al. Epidemiologic Features and Clinical Course of Patients Infected With SARS-CoV-2 in Singapore. JAMA. 2020.
Good to know: Are climbing gardens sports facilities?
No. From a legal perspective, climbing gardens are "paths", not "sports facilities". If the operation of sports facilities is currently prohibited and operators must display appropriate notices, this does not apply to climbing gardens. Sections that run climbing gardens therefore do not have to visibly "close" them. Of course, the appeal to refrain from mountaineering activities still applies!
For further information on the legal classification of climbing gardens, see: Climbing garden handbook - Construction, renovation and maintenance of climbing gardens and bouldering areas (page 19 ff.).
